F"! -2-8 

ll 

C.FV 


r 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



0 020 392 731 9 



Bicycle Excursion No. 2. 

CITY HISTORY CLUB. 

* ■ # 

McCOWAN’S PASS. 


I. McGowan’s Pass. 

II. Fort Fish. 

III. Block House No. I. 

# 

ROUTE. 

Belt Line cars (fare for wheels, 15 cents) 
to Barrow, Hudson, Eighth Avenue, Cen¬ 
tral Park; or 

Belt Line to Rivington, Chrystie, Sec¬ 
ond Avenue, 20th Street, First Avenue, 
26th Street, Madison Avenue, 79th Street 
to Central Park; or on 

First Avenue to 104th Street, to Central 
Park. 


COPYRIGHTED 1897 

by the city History Club 
OF NEW YORK. 




Vu> 6 












THE STORY OF McGOWAN’S PASS, 


The British had just landed at East 34th Street (Sep¬ 
tember 15, 1776), and the American army was in full 
retreat toward Harlem Heights. 

The homestead of Daniel McGowan was almost 
deserted at the time, Daniel himself being in the Amer¬ 
ican army. His son Andrew, a boy of twelve, had re¬ 
mained at home, and was helping with the work of the 
farm, when the Hessians came hurrying up the road in 
search of Washington’s army. 

They compelled Andrew to join them, and ordered 
him to guide them to the American camp. Within an 
hour they might have overtaken the patriot army ; but, 
quickly seizing this chance to help his countrymen, the 
boy gaily led the troops across country toward the North 
River in a different direction from that in which he 
knew the Americans had retreated. 

While the Hessians were struggling over the hills and 
swamps of lower Riverside Park, Washington’s army 
arrived in safety at their fortifications, and on the fol¬ 
lowing day were enabled to repulse the British in the 
brilliant battle of Harlem Heights. 

Thus did a boy of twelve save the army of his 
country from destruction. 

In the War of 1812 Fort Fish was built just above 
McGowan’s Pass; and even to-day one can see some 
remains of the earthwork and two old cannon on the 
heights south of Harlem Mere. 

To the west—nearly opposite the Seventh Avenue 
Gate—may still be seen a block-house of the War of 1812. 

McGowan’s Pass is justly named to commemorate a 
deed of such quick wit and valuable service. Let every 
boy growing up to-day in Greater New York see in 
what way he can best serve his splendid city. 

(over.) FRANK BERGEN KELLEY. 


)J~dH -O'CL 



